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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Lost Property is an emotional, touching and brilliant novel about loss, in many senses of the word. It drew me in from the beginning with its excellent writing and beautifully written characters.
Dot Watson is a lovely character and one I warmed to straight away. She is immersed in her job at the lost property office which is intriguing and as the book goes on, we discover the reasons why. She is a fascinating character, one where there is much more to her than first meets the eye.
As the novel is told through Dot’s perspective, you really ride along with her and her abundance of emotions. Learning of her life and her reasons for making certain choices, her influences and her family. I’ve effectively said this already but it needs saying again – she is a wonderful character and I thoroughly enjoyed following her story.
I really liked how Paris began each chapter with a lost property label. These featured a description of something lost during the chapter. Initially, the item would be asked for during the chapter by a customer who had lost it, but it also featured a memory, person or occurrence. I thought this was a really nice and unusual touch. It gave a snippet of what was to come, whilst displaying it in a format true to the novel. It also wasn’t always what you’d expect!
Something that really touched me was the raw reality of Dot’s Mother’s dementia and their fractured relationship. As someone whose Grandma suffered with dementia, she passed away just last year, I really resonated with a lot of the behaviour and actions. This made it a tough read at times but Paris really is spot on with her account and clearly researched this aspect in detail. It’s nice to see things like dementia that are reality for a lot of people, but not always represented in fiction, be told in such a realistic manner.
The memories and interwoven past history of Dot is a lovely trail to follow. Piecing together Dot’s life and why she has made certain decisions, her influences and how she ended up working at the lost property department. It was emotional but also extremely absorbing. I feel like this story will be one to stay with me for a long time to come!
Lost Property is a captivating novel with a beautiful storyline.
Dot Watson is a lovely character and one I warmed to straight away. She is immersed in her job at the lost property office which is intriguing and as the book goes on, we discover the reasons why. She is a fascinating character, one where there is much more to her than first meets the eye.
As the novel is told through Dot’s perspective, you really ride along with her and her abundance of emotions. Learning of her life and her reasons for making certain choices, her influences and her family. I’ve effectively said this already but it needs saying again – she is a wonderful character and I thoroughly enjoyed following her story.
I really liked how Paris began each chapter with a lost property label. These featured a description of something lost during the chapter. Initially, the item would be asked for during the chapter by a customer who had lost it, but it also featured a memory, person or occurrence. I thought this was a really nice and unusual touch. It gave a snippet of what was to come, whilst displaying it in a format true to the novel. It also wasn’t always what you’d expect!
Something that really touched me was the raw reality of Dot’s Mother’s dementia and their fractured relationship. As someone whose Grandma suffered with dementia, she passed away just last year, I really resonated with a lot of the behaviour and actions. This made it a tough read at times but Paris really is spot on with her account and clearly researched this aspect in detail. It’s nice to see things like dementia that are reality for a lot of people, but not always represented in fiction, be told in such a realistic manner.
The memories and interwoven past history of Dot is a lovely trail to follow. Piecing together Dot’s life and why she has made certain decisions, her influences and how she ended up working at the lost property department. It was emotional but also extremely absorbing. I feel like this story will be one to stay with me for a long time to come!
Lost Property is a captivating novel with a beautiful storyline.
dark
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Dementia, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
A very beautifully written book with great characterisation. Not the fluffy light book I thought it was going to be, more of an emotional rollercoaster. Exploring, grief, loss, dementia and suicide so prepare yourself when reading.
Glad that there was a good conclusion to Dot's tale.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read ahead of publication.
Glad that there was a good conclusion to Dot's tale.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read ahead of publication.
*I received a free ARC of this book, with thanks to the author, Transworld Books – Random House UK and NetGalley. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Despite the cheery tones of the book’s cover, this is a dark, sometimes distressing, read. I don’t often do trigger warnings, but will mention up front here that it covers issues including suicide, substance abuse and a sexual/physical assault that left me feeling as shaken as the character involved. None of these serious topics are used gratuitously – they are treated with sensitivity and understanding, and Dot’s journey may even help some people dealing with similar issues, but don’t go into this story expecting a jolly romp of skipping around matching people to their treasures.
There are some very obvious comparisons to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine here: the main character is socially awkward and adheres to her own customs and rituals, quietly judging those around her who are louder, more social, more comfortable with themselves. However, Dot is her own character, with her own past traumas and current issues to overcome, not just a Oliphantine carbon copy.
I really enjoyed the almost mystical world of the Lost Property office, with its poignant mustard-coloured labels and cavernous shelved storage of wonders (and umbrellas). Dot’s reverence for the building, the lost items, and the routine of recording and (hopefully) reuniting is touching and a little contagious, and I found myself sympathising with her horror at the slapdash ways of Anita, SmartChoice et al. It was fun to watch Dot gradually loosen up a bit, and start to deal with her trauma at the loss of her dad.
Until she loosened up a little too far, and it became clear that she was spiralling into a very deep, dark hole that she was going to struggle to drag herself back from. On the way, she attempts to solve a few mysteries (The Case of the Dead Father; The Case of the Missing Holdall), avoid connecting with family and friends, and put aside her old dreams of travelling the world. She is not entirely successful in all of those aims, despite her best efforts.
This is a beautifully written, heart-tugging story about love, family secrets, losing and being lost, which takes the reader to some dark places, but brings them out again with the hope for a lighter future.
'You have to be precise in Lost Property. You have to find the exact right words and fit them on to the modestly sized Dijon-coloured labels tied to every single lost item stored here. If you write ‘Woman’s Handbag, dappled burgundy’ rather than ‘Woman’s Handbag, red’, it can make all the difference as to whether that bag is reunited with its owner or languishes in Lost Property for ever.
Leather handle, you say? What kind? I ask. Looped? Stitched? Buckled? Chewed? Admittedly, it’s a challenge to make one black collapsible umbrella stand out from another, but I do my best. I pay attention to the details.'
– Helen Paris, Lost Property
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2021/05/12/lost-property-helen-paris/
Despite the cheery tones of the book’s cover, this is a dark, sometimes distressing, read. I don’t often do trigger warnings, but will mention up front here that it covers issues including suicide, substance abuse and a sexual/physical assault that left me feeling as shaken as the character involved. None of these serious topics are used gratuitously – they are treated with sensitivity and understanding, and Dot’s journey may even help some people dealing with similar issues, but don’t go into this story expecting a jolly romp of skipping around matching people to their treasures.
There are some very obvious comparisons to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine here: the main character is socially awkward and adheres to her own customs and rituals, quietly judging those around her who are louder, more social, more comfortable with themselves. However, Dot is her own character, with her own past traumas and current issues to overcome, not just a Oliphantine carbon copy.
I really enjoyed the almost mystical world of the Lost Property office, with its poignant mustard-coloured labels and cavernous shelved storage of wonders (and umbrellas). Dot’s reverence for the building, the lost items, and the routine of recording and (hopefully) reuniting is touching and a little contagious, and I found myself sympathising with her horror at the slapdash ways of Anita, SmartChoice et al. It was fun to watch Dot gradually loosen up a bit, and start to deal with her trauma at the loss of her dad.
Until she loosened up a little too far, and it became clear that she was spiralling into a very deep, dark hole that she was going to struggle to drag herself back from. On the way, she attempts to solve a few mysteries (The Case of the Dead Father; The Case of the Missing Holdall), avoid connecting with family and friends, and put aside her old dreams of travelling the world. She is not entirely successful in all of those aims, despite her best efforts.
This is a beautifully written, heart-tugging story about love, family secrets, losing and being lost, which takes the reader to some dark places, but brings them out again with the hope for a lighter future.
'You have to be precise in Lost Property. You have to find the exact right words and fit them on to the modestly sized Dijon-coloured labels tied to every single lost item stored here. If you write ‘Woman’s Handbag, dappled burgundy’ rather than ‘Woman’s Handbag, red’, it can make all the difference as to whether that bag is reunited with its owner or languishes in Lost Property for ever.
Leather handle, you say? What kind? I ask. Looped? Stitched? Buckled? Chewed? Admittedly, it’s a challenge to make one black collapsible umbrella stand out from another, but I do my best. I pay attention to the details.'
– Helen Paris, Lost Property
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2021/05/12/lost-property-helen-paris/
Check out the full review on my website. CLICK HERE
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DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Doubleday for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lost Property by Helen Paris is a contemporary story that follows Dot Watson and her life in the London Transport Lost Property office. Her life at the Lost Property office is eventful and exciting, with each day bringing forward the possibility of reuniting an owner with their lost items. Dot finds purpose in her job and is dedicated to the greatest extent, and takes utmost care in cataloging the items. The clear and detailed descriptions of each item and her thoughts on each of them help us form a precise picture of who Dot is as a person. While Dot is dedicated, detail-oriented and makes sure to reunite people with their lost items, she tries to find ways to be not lost in her life. Some past events have led her down a path that was different from her initial plan, and she makes sure to get the best out of it despite the roadblocks they present. One such lost item leads her down a path that is unexpected and helps her heal from her losses and take back her life.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read with interesting characters, unusual but a singular setting that sets the story apart, and charming moments to fill your heart up. I gave the book 4 stars and highly recommend checking it out. It’s a great book to get lost in and let Dot take us through her life.
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL : YOUTUBE
FOLLOW ME ON : TWITTER INSTAGRAM
FR REVIEW :
DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Doubleday for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lost Property by Helen Paris is a contemporary story that follows Dot Watson and her life in the London Transport Lost Property office. Her life at the Lost Property office is eventful and exciting, with each day bringing forward the possibility of reuniting an owner with their lost items. Dot finds purpose in her job and is dedicated to the greatest extent, and takes utmost care in cataloging the items. The clear and detailed descriptions of each item and her thoughts on each of them help us form a precise picture of who Dot is as a person. While Dot is dedicated, detail-oriented and makes sure to reunite people with their lost items, she tries to find ways to be not lost in her life. Some past events have led her down a path that was different from her initial plan, and she makes sure to get the best out of it despite the roadblocks they present. One such lost item leads her down a path that is unexpected and helps her heal from her losses and take back her life.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read with interesting characters, unusual but a singular setting that sets the story apart, and charming moments to fill your heart up. I gave the book 4 stars and highly recommend checking it out. It’s a great book to get lost in and let Dot take us through her life.